Reading/discussion evening “Property and Justice”

On August 7, 2014 was held the second reading/discussion evening on the ideas of liberty. Topic of discussion was "Private property and Justice" 30 participants enjoyed the workshop in the Armenian language.The event was divided into two parts. The keynote speaker was Taron Simonyan a free-minded academic respected by students. He received his PhD in 2012 in Theory of Law and State from Yerevan State University, Department of Law. In 2009 He completed Tavitian Scholarship Program (Training Program in International Law and Legal Studies), The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston/Medford, Massachusetts, USA, his Master’s Degree on European Law and Bachelor’s in Jurisprudence with Honorary Distinction are from Yerevan State University, Department of Law.Mr Simonyan is a member of the Council of the Department of Law of YSU (as a Member of Chair of Theory and History of State and Law), member of the Big Council of the Department of Law of YSU, professor in Yerevan State University, Department of Law, Center of European Studies (teaching Theory of State and Law, History of State and Law of Foreign Countries, History of Political and Legal Teachings) and French University in Armenia Foundation (teaching History of Political and Legal Teachings Platon, Aristotle, Hugo Grotius, H. Hegel, Kant , H. Kelsen ….)He is also director of International and Comparative Law Center NGO and Founder, General Director, Advocate of ELL PARTNERSHIP LLC.

Dr. Taron Simonyan had a reading discussion on Property and Justice. He talked also about Private property, the meaning of property, Property and progress, Property and other rights, Moral benefits of property, the rules of justice, the enforcement of justice, threats to justice, the rule of law and Human rights.He organized a discussion on the basis of read materials in such a way that each subject was studied by the participants and everyone was able to form their views and to voice it. Almost all participants regardless of their professions and previous experience in ideas of liberty become awared on some topics of philosophy of liberty, were ale to form their points of views from liberal perspectives. Laid-back behavior of the speaker and the free atmosphere even more facilitated to ensure the space which was dominated by the idea of liberty.

Participants began freely express their opinions and conclusions on Private property, the meaning of property, Property and progress, Property and other rights, Moral benefits of property, the rules of justice, the enforcement of justice, threats to justice, the rule of law and Human rights. It is worth to mention that the keynote speaker Dr Simonyan did not impose his views on others, not saying that's true and what's not and directed their thoughts towards more liberty. This gave opportunity to attendees to be free and come themselves to their own conclusions with a liberal point of view.

The second part of the event was condcted by Tatev Yaghjyan and Anatoli Chernyaev the participants fromt he first event. They expressed their desire to conduct the part of the next event and because our aim is to develop another generation of liberty-oriented speakers in Armenia who will create their own community of free-thinking people and spread the gained knowledge to others, we gladly agreed.Discussion topic was 'Freedom of Speech". The speakers presented the meaning of free speech and directed the discussion so that the participants themselves have presented all sides of the Institute of freedom of speech and understand its meaning, ways of expression and threats to the free speech in their daily lives. Then the participants were divided into five groups to discuss specific cases distributed by speakers to determine whether these cases are violations of law and freedom of speech was overused.Team members read their cases aloud and and expressed their views. The members of other groups involved into discussion and formed an interesting brainstorm of ideas and opinions. After 2.5 hours of debate the theme was still developing by speakers and participants, and demanded to continue.

All 30 participants were well erudite and freethinking intellectuals ready to learn more and be active participant of debats and discussions. This event reached its goal even more and we are so grateful to donors attendees and speakers for making an unforgettable evening of philosophy of liberty.

Reading/discussion evening “The Institutions of a Free Society”

Armenian Liberty Students Organization held its first 2-hours meeting on July 25, 2014 in Yerevan, at AEON anti-café, a place which is very popular among young people. The theme of discussion was “The Institutions of a Free Society”.This event brought together 25 young freethinking intellectuals from capital Yerevan, as well as from Vanadzor city (Lori region), Abovyan City (Kotayk region), Ejmiacin (Armavir region).During the event the following question were discussed in Armenian language: Society without the state: Freedom and culture, Who needs government, Why government must be limited, What should government do, Why have government at all, Views on personal and economic freedom, Diversity promotes progress, Depressive effects of intervention, Decisions by the few, Ways to limit government, Public decision-making, Voters’ self-interest, Politicians’ self-interest, Constitutional agreement, Qualified majorities and etcThe speaker was Taron Simonyan a free-minded academic respected by students. He received his PhD in 2012 in Theory of Law and State from Yerevan State University, Department of Law. In 2009 He completed Tavitian Scholarship Program (Training Program in International Law and Legal Studies), The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Boston/Medford, Massachusetts, USA, his Master’s Degree on European Law and Bachelor’s in Jurisprudence with Honorary Distinction are from Yerevan State University, Department of Law.Mr Simonyan is a member of the Council of the Department of Law of YSU (as a Member of Chair of Theory and History of State and Law), member of the Big Council of the Department of Law of YSU, professor in Yerevan State University, Department of Law, Center of European Studies (teaching Theory of State and Law, History of State and Law of Foreign Countries, History of Political and Legal Teachings) and French University in Armenia Foundation (teaching History of Political and Legal Teachings Platon, Aristotle, Hugo Grotius, H. Hegel, Kant , H. Kelsen ….)He is also director of International and Comparative Law Center NGO and Founder, General Director, Advocate of ELL PARTNERSHIP LLC.He presented his arguments about free society and philosophy of liberty in general, as well as in the Armenian context, along with examples, comparisons and jokes, which together gave educative base on these ideas, food for thoughts and ensured very interesting pastime. Participants briefly presented their ideas about free society.

After reading, we have witnessed a very exciting brainstorming guided by speaker Taron Simonyan involving about all the participants.At the end of the event the participants filled out surveys where they introduced themselves, as well as the effects that the discussed themes had on them. Due to the surveys we received interesting feedback from participants, some of them expressed a desire to learn more about these ideas and become the speakers on the ideas of liberty, others said that they would like to participate in such events even more. Event reached its goal and we are grateful to all for that.

LIBERTY SEMINARS, 2013

PURPOSETo raise public awareness about the ideas of liberty in Armenia, Armenian Liberty Students Organization organized “Know Your Constitution” Workshop Discussion on 18 September, 2013 in Yerevan, Armenia on the topic of the 2nd and 3rd articles of the Constitution of Armenia: "In the Republic of Armenia the power belongs to the people" and "The human being, his/her dignity and the fundamental human rights and freedoms are an ultimate value".

SUMMARYThe “Know Your Constitution” Workshop Discussion took place on 18 September, 2013 in Yerevan, Armenia. Expected attendance was 30 participants (representatives of non-governmental youth organizations operating in Armenia, students, young intellectuals). Actual attendance: 41 people.Armenian Liberty Students Organization was fortunate to have a well known speaker - Andy Eyschen participate in the event, who already knows Armenia and studied Armenian Constitution.The participants were representatives and volunteers of the "Lorian Union" NGO, "Armenian Progressive Youth" NGO, Liberal Youth Network of the South Caucasus, Red Cross, American Councils, Fes House innovative Educational International Centre, young intellectuals from rulling Republican Party and Opposition, students from Armenian State University of Economics, Yerevan State Linguistic University after V. Brusov, Yerevan State University, French University in Armenia and etc.